Dear Friends

I write this on a flight to Wellington, in cramped conditions and after considerable delay in departing. The latter is hard to understand when it was the first flight for the day and did not make for a good start.

A number of things went through my mind as we waited.

When we were 5 minutes late the captain announced a couple of minutes delay while completing paper work and some fog that slowed things down a little. But it was another 35 minutes before we headed away. Why can’t airlines and staff be honest?  I would have to exercise patience which sometimes I find in short supply. I thought of a song from The Music Machine, a children’s musical from some years ago teaching the Fruit of the Spirit

Have patience, have patience, don’t be in such a hurry,

When you get impatient you only start to worry,

Remember, remember, that God is patient too,

And think of all the times that others have to wait for you

Great truth in a few pithy lines. (This musical is a great project for a holiday program). Will I have time for some breakfast before my meeting starts? (I did just) I also dozed off for a few minutes so must have been reasonably relaxed.

I received a few comments/feedback after last month’s comments for which I am grateful – thank you people. I continue to think about the topic so if I come up with anything worth reporting I will let you know. Some concerns were also expressed as I gave the impression that I am sliding out of church participation. Be assured that is not the case, not yet anyway.

Pentecost is upon us on 12 June. Make the most of this great opportunity to do something riskily creative with your people that Sunday and give room for Holy Spirit to surprise you.